Two private specialty medical practices have agreed to merge forming the area's first multi-specialty practice in oncology and urology as a hedge against mounting business challenges in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Pacific Urology is joining forces with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group into a 13-physician group. The practices gave two principal motivations: stronger continuity of care, plus increasing economic pressures, such as a 30%  decrease in Medicare payments anticipated in 2012.

Both practices will retain their individual names but will now share infrastructure and resources such as information technology, business office processes and clinic locations.

"In the end, it's win-win for us and patients," said Dr. Matthew Sirott,
CEO of Diablo Valley Oncology. "Now we'll jointly be able to see more
patients in more locations, reduce overhead expenses, and collaborate more
closely than ever."

With clinics in Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Brentwood, San Ramon, and Livermore, Pacific Urology is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest
urology practices. The group's mission is to provide university quality of
care in a private practice setting, right in the patients' community.

Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group is home to the largest
single site for cancer treatment in California's Contra Costa County. Its seven
physicians bring together medical oncology; hematology; chemotherapy; radiation therapy; CT/MRI/PET-CT scans and imaging; clinical trials; research; and supportive care all in one location.